THE NIGHT OF HORROR

After that day, one of the school's janitor found her cold and dead body. And that incident made a noise on the whole University, it became the talk of the town. Every time the other students talked about her death, my heart seemed to be racing fast. I'm afraid they'll find out I'm the culprit. But the police's investigation eventually stopped after several months because they didn't even find a clue that will point to the killer.

I wanted to lament on the death of my friend. I wanted to regret killing her out of resentment. I wanted to get mad at myself for being blinded by my envy and anger. I wanted to surrender to the police and admit the heinous crime that I have done because her death becomes my worst nightmare. But I can't... I just can't.

No matter how much I tried to deny it, I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders with their disappearance. My father and mother's relationship is slowly becoming better. I can now see the glint of happiness on my mother's eyes because my father is trying to fix their relationship that was once on the verge of collapsing because of his affair.

After several months, Ridley University seemed to forget Summer's existence. Their so called 'legacy' that she left was buried on the oblivion along with her death.

The suffocating feeling that Astreia and Summer brings into my life vanished into thin air.

I now have the perfect control everything. The world was wrapped around my fingers. Everything is going on my own accord. I thought it will continue to be like that. But something unexpected happened.

It was one of those usual mornings. While I'm waiting for Airen, Ashley and Lorelei, I heard gossips from the students near me.

"Have you heard of the news?"

"What is it?"

"Someone saw Astreia inside the school."

"Wait, for real? The graduation is already near and she still came back?"

"That's just what I heard. I don't know if it's true though."

I didn't hear what they said next because they're already meters away from me. But those words bothered me. My jaw clenched as my expression hardened.

Why did you come back, Astreia? What's your reason?

"Amber? Let's go!"

I lifted my face and look at Lorelei. I sighed heavily and walk towards them.

True to the rumors, the woman who almost destroyed my family came back. I don't know why the dean still lets her attends class though it's nearly the end of the school year.

"So it's true then. Astreia, after went missing for months, is now here. What's your plan, Amber?" Ashley asked me.

Lorelei shoot daggers at her. "Stop provoking her, you nitwit," she said and turned her attention on me. "If you're planning something, stop it already. The problem inside your family was already fixed, getting back at her is utterly useless now."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you, my mother?" I asked sarcastically that made her scoffed. Airen and Ashley chuckled. "I know that, no need to tell me. As long as she will not do something against me, then I will not lay even a finger at her," I responded in a serious tone. She nodded.

Every time our paths cross, she's the one who always avoids me. She's now more aloof and distant. The coldness in her eyes can freeze anyone. It's still a mystery to me while she came back. I don't have any idea where is her mother right now. But it's none of my business though.

Nothing strange happens. The last months of my stay in the University went well. I graduated as the valedictorian of our batch. I forgot the past and went on with the life that I'm accustomed to. The disturbance that I felt with Astreia's unexpected return vanished. My anxiety was pacified.

I was left under the impression that everything is smooth sailing. I have never imagined that the thing I feared the most would come true.

It was Saturday night. I'm reading a book inside my room when I heard a clank from below. At first, I ignored it and continue my perusal. But the sound is getting harsher. I immediately dashed out of my room and climbed down when a loud crash resounded in the house.

"You're a disgusting cheater! A liar! I couldn't believe that I got manipulated by someone like you! I am tried of all your bullshit!" The familiar voice of my mother rattled me. She's obviously furious.

My eyebrows furrowed when I saw broken pieces of a vase scattered on the floor. I look at my mother and father. The former's face is streaked with tears, while my father looks anxious.

"Are you guys fighting?" I asked, but none of them answered.

Silence enveloped the three of us. I sighed. "Aren't you going to say something? Mom? Dad?"

My mother wipes her blood-shot eyes. "I can't stand this relationship anymore, Atticus," she said and turned her back on us.

I saw his face blanched. "A-Ambridge. Please let me e-explain." He tried to hold my mother's arms but she fended it off.

"I don't want to hear another set of lies from you," she said dismissively and walked away.

I throw him a glance and followed my mother. I breathed deep before slowly opening the door of their room. My eyes widened when I saw her packing up her clothes.

"Mom? What are you doing? Are you leaving?" I asked nervously.

She turned her back and get some clothes on her closet. "I'm sorry. I need to do this, Amber. I can't stand to see your father's face and live under the same roof with him anymore."

"Can you please enlighten me with what's happening? Mom, I'm your daughter, I'm part of the family. I should be at least aware of the situation."

She stops arranging her things. I saw how tears brimmed her eyes. "Your father lied again, Amber. H-he's still seeing his mistress. He kept it hidden from me... from us. He asked a private investigator to look for Esthrella and her daughter's whereabouts," she breathed deep to calm herself. "All this time, Amber. He made me believe that he changed! I gave him a second chance, but he ruined my trust again! I can't do this anymore." She shakes her head furiously and zipped the luggage.

She dashed outside our house while crying. I hold her arms and run beside her.

"Mom! Mom! Where are you going?!"

I was shocked when she fended off my hands. "I don't know! Anywhere as long as I will not see your father!"

Tears swam my eyes. "What about me? You will leave me here?" I asked, my voice cracking.

I don't want to stay inside this wretched place anymore. I want to go wherever she's going. I despise my father who ruined our family.

She stopped. She heaved out a deep sigh and crouched down in front of me. "You need to stay, Amber. I can't bring you with me because my life out there has no certainty. Also, I can't promise that I can take good care of you. I don't want to drag you with my sufferings," she said while caressing my cheeks.

I encircled my hands over her shoulders and bawl my eyes out. "Mom, please take me with you. Please don't leave me here," I begged.

She shook her head and stares at me. "No. Please listen to me, Amber. This is for your own good. I will get you back once I fixed everything. But now, stay here and be a good daughter." She kissed my forehead before gently pushing me away.

A lump obstructed my throat. She turned her back and opened the gate. A taxi passed by, she was about to get inside when I screamed.

"Mom! Don't leave me!"

She just gave me a sad smile before closing the door. For a moment, I just stood there, motionless. With tear streming down my cheeks, I run after my mother. I don't care if I'm barefooted and the rough ground is hurting my feet. I don't care if the night is too cold that I can see my foggy breath. I just want to stop my mother. I just want to be with her.

I tripped on a stone. My knees fell on the cold pavement. I stretched my hands, as if reaching the car.

"No..." I uttered breathlessly.

The light coming from the car slowly fades out of my sight. And I just kneel in the middle of the of the street, devastated and grieving.

I look above. The blue sky is dotted with countless small stars. One by one, as if to invite people to the vast space. The chaste moon sails like a silvery boat in the deep blue sea.

I clenched my fists. My gaze narrowed. They will pay for this. I will inflict the same pain that they have caused me. I will shatter them into pieces.

•••••

"No! I won't do that! Amber, I can't do that to Astreia, she's my friend!"

I glared at him. "You can and you will, Asher. You know what I'm capable of, you won't like it if you continue going against me."

"Why are you chickening out man? Amber is asking you a very simple favor," Sloane, who's leaning on the wall with a cigarette between his lips, chimes in. Ashley and Airen is with us too along with the twins.

Asher looks at him blankly. "Because I know what you're planning to do with her," he said and turned to me. "Why are you doing this, Amber? Astreia is not doing anything to you. She tried to make up for the mistake of her mother! She even suffered for something she has no control of!"

He shook his head, frustration is visible on his face. "Why do you keep on venting out your anger on her? You know what? I seriously think that you're being unfair. You father is at fault too for having an affair, why don't you try to understand the situation before you plan something so reckless?" he chastised me, his forehead is on thin line.

My brows snapped together. "You don't know what you're saying."

He sighed heavily. "I know what I'm saying, Amber. Trust me, I understand the pain that you're feeling because of your family, but don't let your emotions blind your judgement," he said in a soft voice.

Silence falls among us. We just stared at him for a moment before we burst into laughter. Of course, Ethan's laugh is the loudest.

"You're funny, Asher," I said after calming myself. "Stop acting like a saint, will you? We all know that you're just like us."

His eyes widened and his face turned pale.

The corner of my lips rose. "You don't want them to know your darkest secret, right? You don't want everyone to know how you killed her just to protect yourself."

"I'll do it!" He cuts my words. "I-I will do everything that you told me, just d-don't tell anyone about it," he said apprehensively.

"It's a good thing that you know how to listen." Evan pats his shoulder, a sinister smile is plastered on his lips. The expression that not anyone has the chance to see.

A lot of people thought of him as a silent, inconspicuous man who doesn't care about his surroundings. But they are wrong, Evan is different from what they often see. He is much more than that.

I gave Asher a last glance. "Don't you dare do us dirty. I'll be expecting your cooperation."

He closes his eyes and sigh. "You can count on me."

•••••

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

Astreia Blair Sullivan, just like the usual, is walking in silence through the busy street of Artkinson. Their family is experiencing financial crisis, leaving her with no choice but to work her ass off just to support her study.

She's grateful that the dean of their University still accepted her and even gave a full scholarship. Still, it wasn't enough, she still needs to work on a convenience store near her apartment for extra income. She was able to graduate, but she chose to continue working in order to provide her basic necessities.

She was listening to her favorite song through her earphone.  The coldness of the night did not even fazed her. She's used to that familiar feeling anyway.

Suddenly, she stops on her track when

she noticed a presence behind her. Her forehead puckered along with the fast beating of her heart. She bit her lips and heave a deep sigh.

She turn around, but she saw no one. "That's probably just my imagination," she uttered to herself.

"Boo!"

She flinched when someone appeared out of nowhere. She squinted her eyes on that person, and when she finally recognized him, her eyes widened.

"What the fuck, Asher?! You scared the shit out of me!" she exclaimed while hitting him.

"Your f-face looks so hilarious," he said, barely stifling a laugh.

Astreia rolled her eyes. "Whatever. What are you doing here anyway?" she asked.

They continue walking.

Asher shrugged his shoulders. "I just bought something on a store nearby. How about you? It's getting late already."

She sighed and gave him a subtle smile. "I just got off from my work. It's pretty tiring, but I'm getting used to it though. I need to work if I don't want myself to starve to death."

Asher is one of the people who treated her nicely when they're still classmates despite her issues. He never looks at her with disgust, neither throw her ridicules. Almost all the students in the University treated her like a piece of trash, blamed her for something without hearing her side, but this person beside her did not.

He stares at her for a short moment. A pang of pity struck him.

Blair has nothing now. The world has completely turned its back on her and made her experience all the wraths of hell for something that she's not even guilty of. He knows how much she trusted him. But right now, he's about to ruin that. He doesn't want to do it, but he has no other choice.

"Blair."

She looks at him, and saw a strange expression on his eyes. "Hmmm?"

He swallowed a lump. "I'm sorry."

Despite his reluctance, he grabbed her on the arms and covered her nose with a scarf sprayed with Chloroform, putting her on a deep sleep.

His hands are shaking while he's calling a particular person.

"Yes, Asher?" the woman on the other line asked.

He closed his eyes. "I already did it. Y-You can take her now."

"Good."

He dropped the call and look at Astreia. "I'm sorry, but I need to do this."